Angela Merkel On How She Faced Trump, Putin, COVID & Brexit

[@LeadingTRIP]

German track is now available! Click the settings option and select your prefered audio track!

[@NoHairMan]

Thanks 👍

[@aimeelinekar3902]

Thank you! 🤩

[@Suse26]

Danke! ❤

[@fintonmainz7845]

Good.

[@col8547]

Shame you didn't ask her about the decision to end nuclear power in Germany after Fukushima. Her being originally a physicist that always surprised me. I guess time constraints or the fact that neither of you are scientists. CF France which still has a huge nuclear sector it left Germany much more vulnerable to Putin keeping his gas taps on, so unpredictable consequences.

[@willtaylor2374]

Honestly i thought this was a disappointing softball interview that crossed into fawning at times. It felt like a missed opportunity to challenge her on her legacy which seems far more mixed now than it probably did a couple of years ago.

[@bazza2540]

She absolutely said nothing. Comes across as not knowing much. Is she intending to go back into politics? Why not tell it as it is now?

[@willtaylor2374]

@bazza2540 quite. They explain it away as her being very serious and circumspect which may be true but it's doing a lot of work here. She ruled Germany for years and it seems to have massive problems now. The liberal order in Europe has really struggled for a while now. Surely she shoulders as much responsibility as anyone for this?

[@Dude0000]

Why would they? They’re all on the same club and the same team. They have more in common with each other than any of them do with their average citizen of their countries. Yet we can see it’s plain luck they got where they did. Sure above average iq and conscientiousness, but the internet has exposed why we are declining. We have these people in power. Deeply unimpressive for the positions they hold.

[@AtheistDD]

I saw three Interviews of her the last month, not one Interviewer had the nerve to really ask the hard questions, especially about 16 Years mismanagement of inner german Matters, from "investitionsstau" (Lack of in investment especially in the infrastructure) to the self inflicted "Schuldenbremse" (no New debt over a certain rate) wich made Problem number one even Worse. The Swabian Hosewife has gernany "kaputtgespart" (saved to peaces)

[@kln1]

The reason you think this was softball is because Merkel is a giant. She would squish you to dust. Why? Every question you ask her already has been asked 10 years ago. You are simply far behind reality and the established philosophy of reality.

[@petermorrell9865]

Less of an interview and more of a promotion of herself, you didn’t press her on anything. You just sat there in awe.

[@anteep4900]

Not much more to expect really from former failed establishment fawning over former failed establishment

[@zwetschge9669]

Well she is on a book tour, and I doubt that she would have agreed to this Interview if it wasn't part of her tour

[@flop7217]

as a german this is the 2nd podcast i seen her do this week. different in style but the same result. a rather soft talk. i think she makes clear from the get go she wouldn't answer any sort of questions related to todays politics and wouldn't get into private matters either. so there is not so much you could press her about especially considering she might be the most talanted person on the planet to answer questions without answering them.

[@SomeGreyGuy]

​@@flop7217 she's done with politics. She retired and now refuses to get back into it. And I respect her for it. Despite what most people say, she was one of the best things about our country. If it wasn't for all the infighting in the cdu she probably could have done far more, she was held back.

[@flop7217]

@@SomeGreyGuy for the first part of your answer i have mixed feelings. she is promoting her book on various platforms and i feel its a very weird time to publish such a book from her perspective. i also respect if she doesn't want to answer questions about current politics but still everything is so much connected with her ruling as chancellor for nearly 2 decades that it feels weird to listen to her for hours and none to the current situation of germany. for the second part of your answer i completely disagree. as much as i respect her as a person and the dignity she gave her political position, i feel she has neglected nearly everything. the country has gigantic problems ahead and unsolved issues that were piling up during her time. germany needed big policy changes and she was more often than not just delaying importand decisions. ,rente', ,asyl',wohnen',energiewende',soziale segregation' etc etc.

[@SRAKAMOTYKA]

She speaks about Putin like she have nothing to do with politics towards him. She did nothing to stop him.

[@pavlopaavo6144]

Even more so, she fueled this monster with gas money for decades. It’s incredibly dishonest to leave behind a mess and then claim she doesn’t want to talk about it - about her terrible legacy.

[@m4dalex478]

It was and still is in the interest of Germany and EU to have good relations with Russia. It was and still is in the interest of Germany and EU to keep Ukraine out of NATO. The whole "Ukraine in NATO" thing was fueled by the U.S.A and has been opposed by most EU leaders from 2008. There is nothing to gain from a cold war climate between EU and Russia. Wake up, read more, stop listening to the news channels in your countries.

[@tonysadler5290]

​​@@pavlopaavo6144glad I'm not the only one to think the same. If she was in a tight spot politically she should have been able to turn within the EU, as should the Italian's when dealing with migrants. EU Members should be able to turn to partners within the group before going outside - But, the EU hasn't matured that far yet - as a supporter of EU membership it's one of my criticisms of the EU, it's too nationalistic between members. Regards Tony Sadler South Wales UK 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🇪🇺

[@GiambattistaRossi]

@@pavlopaavo6144 other bullshits?

[@linz8291]

@SRAKAMOTYKA However, she has done very incredible job to address Euro crisis and European LNG and cruid oil delivery system, and she won worldwide respect for maintaining peaceful relationship to Russia such as Minsk agreement and Ukraine negotiation.

[@Drudgen]

"She said she didn't like it, but would have to go along with it..."

[@didleyscott788]

Trente percente!

[@mrmg1235]

"Ich nichten lichten"

[@nikolaucznaum4312]

Cheap gas and oil, what's not to like??.....

[@2BuckChuckNL]

YT comment of the year

[@robertbaltha3371]

Like me, many German people were just sick and tired of this woman, but damn, were we bloody stupid letting this one retire. 😂❤

[@AlfriedKrupp-jr2bd]

This is why this is the best political chat show period, thank Alastair and Rory!

[@MeesyIce]

can you guys release the undubbed version?

[@backgammonbacon]

Yes please undubbed I can read subtitles and I find the dub distracting.

[@tiggersix]

Please! I came to YT after stopping the podcast, hoping that YT has an undubbed version.

[@123bwlch]

@@backgammonbacon Agree.

[@rickihewitt]

It's also somewhat distracting that you can still hear the original audio underneath the dubbing.

[@tasschulze665]

Yes please please please!

[@Amin-rj9bj]

Another Merkel masterclass in saying much and nothing. Even in hindsight she does not own to the consequences of her weak foreign and domestic policies. As German her 16 years of impotent reign has left the country illequipped to deal with issues on pretty much every front (Immigration, Gas, social housing, reneweable energies, domestic industry etc.). Would have liked more probing from Alistair tbh

[@cartmann227]

Did you even try to listen? And her foreign and domestic policies were shared by a majority of Germans. Its called democracy. A foreign concept for you I guess.

[@bryangeake5826]

What? Totally wrong! When did you hear any UK politicians be so frank and open about their time in office and the geopolitics that shaped things!? Not shambolic Boris, who makes things up to re-model his legacy, not May who still thinks she didn't nearly crash the economy! Badenoch who is nothing more than a lying 6th form level politician who thinks conflict even if she lies about the point is 'politics'!!!

[@lublondon]

Ich mochte sie wirklich sehr. Ihre unprätentiöse Art und Weise, persönliche Anständigkeit und Unbestechlichkeit. Leider musste ich erkennen, dass ihre große Entscheidungen bemerkenswert konsequent falsch waren. Von der AKW Abschaltungen, über die Aussetzung der Wehrpflicht, und der grandioseste Fehltritt von allen: die Öffnung der Grenze 2015. Heute ist sie uneinsichtig und stur wie eh und je. Große Enttäuschung, die gute Mutti

[@sylviadrees3761]

Unter Merkel jammerte die Industrie nur nach neuen Arbeitskräften. Die hat sie besorgt.

[@leoniefreihart]

@@lublondon Ich mochte und mag sie. Ich habe die CDU allerdings nie gewählt. Ihre Entscheidung zum Ausstieg aus der Atomkraft war richtig - teuerste Energieform zusammen mit Gas -, die Entscheidung zur Wehrpflicht war auch nicht gänzlich falsch - auch das ist mit unfassbaren Kosten verbunden und wir hatten nicht das Personal und die Ausrüstung, um die Wehrpflicht beizubehalten - und die Öffnung der Grenze war aus humanitärer Sicht die richtige Entscheidung. Allerdings muss man bei letzterer anerkennen, dass man da bereits vorher hätte besser gegensteuern können.

[@RobertThomson-y4m]

Agent Merkel flogging her book? The state she's left Germany and Europe in is shocking. Why do these two let her off so lightly?

[@jajamuc]

Isn't it easy to just blame her for everything? You are absolutely delusional when you describe the state of Europe throughout her reign as shocking. It was a time of stability, humaneness and political decency. The chancellor of Germany cannot prevent Trump, Russia attacking Ukraine and Britain leaving the EU. But just blame her for everything.

[@evilrslade]

A. She's not responsible for Europe and wasn't elected to be. Germany isn't at its best at the moment, but compared to.... B. Austerity non binding referendum Cameron, The MayBot, Clown car COVID Johnson, The £40 billion lettuce and Ssssssunak have left the UK in the toilet. Glass houses and all that.

[@User-r5g5f]

They are arch globalists and EU federalists.

[@typxxilps]

Ah, you must know more for sure. She went into privat life before Corona so do not mess things up. The mess has been caused by the successor, the corrupt chancelor who has helped a friend to avoid to pay hundreds of millions euro of tax debts and so on. Asked for that he said he had never met him, he did not know him. Later he had to say, he had met him once for lunch , and later another time. The corruptions - back when they ignored the cum ex scandal. She saved Europe, the EU, and Island and Ireland - total bankrupt broken countries in 2009 , same for greece. And she always gives in and the germans have to pay more, and more for whatever, when others did not take their share. Poland did not care about the refugees. Great. German army will not fight in Poland if russia would invade. We will sit and wait at the border of the Oder. I do not care about Poland, they have expelled my grandpa in 1919 from the property the family owned for centuries. Grandpa has fought the russians twice, 1917 and 1941 to 1942. So german army should atay outside of Poland and wait till the russians might reach the oder. Then it is time for action - or we get our properties and the graves of our ancestors back. Simple as that. And meanwhile we buy the properties from polish citizens back, piece by piece close to the Oder and rebuild the old glory

[@gjthomas9770]

Luftenberger! EINS FINEZ LUFTENBERGER!

[@lars-akearonsson4772]

Please publish a version without translator. It works fine that Alistair and Rory speak English and Angela German.

[@PMMagro]

Subtitelse are way better. It is distracting with another person not in the room talkning.

[@kicorse]

They have done. Just select the German audio track in settings.

[@macsmiffy2197]

This is a British audio podcast first, which just happens to be uploaded to KZbin a day later, hence the dubbing.

[@aimeelinekar3902]

Thank you for using a real, human, professional interpreter! But please do publish the original audio too. I’d love to hear the German. Signed - a fellow simultaneous interpreter

[@hosenfan2008]

The lady who interprets for her in the interview is Dorothee Kaltenbach, who has served at least two German chancellors, namely Gerhard Schröder and Angela Merkel. She was Schröder's interpreter when Blair was PM.

[@aimeelinekar3902]

@ She has a good English B, though for future reference, an English A would have been the more appropriate choice here.

[@NoHairMan]

You can switch the audio tracks in the video options. Sie können die Audiospur über die Videooptionen wechseln.

[@aimeelinekar3902]

@ they just enabled it in response to our request! (I checked, it wasn’t possible before).

[@2639theboss]

@@aimeelinekar3902 I said this elsewhere, but in case you need the confidence boost, simultaneous interpreting is genuinely incredible. I don't know how you do it, but I hope you and the people around you appreciate how incredibly talented and gifted you are, and also how hard you've worked to be capable of doing it.

[@GJWielinga]

Super!

[@fact6360]

As a German and subscriber; did not expect this

[@User-r5g5f]

43:31 your job is to look after the interests and security of the German people, not to virtue signal. What a wretched politician.

[@Tarnatos14]

Actually here job is described by the constitution (GG) of germany, which clearly states: "Human dignity shall be inviolable. To respect and protect it shall be the duty of all state authority." (Articl 1, Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany) this not only by its own word, but also declared by the german constituitional court, dedicates all state authority (and the biggest of which is the chancellor) to all people affected by german state, not only the german people.

[@User-r5g5f]

@ That’s not a world constitution. She violated the human dignity of the German people by accelerating the demographic marginalization of Germans in their homeland.

[@3000waterman]

@@Tarnatos14 Exactly. All a product of WW2 guilt. And despite what the two/three post-war generations say about it, that guilt persists. It is the embarrassing 'elephant in the room.'

[@Tarnatos14]

@@3000waterman Actually not Especially the idea of human dignity as the highest value to protect is a Kantian Idea and Immanuel Kant was way before ww2, maybe a feeling has fuled the implementation but the idea is not an idea if gult but as Kant in greatest German/prussian fashion states: duty/Pflicht

[@HARLANWard-i9k]

Musk's Qarden Token announcement is coming soon. Easyest money if you get in on the ICO

[@ColderfromBonet]

Such a complimentary interview...what a shame.

[@theresalwayssomethingtobui944]

Impressed by Alistair following her in German without translator! Also, I'd love to have the German-English Version without translator.

[@flashman6424]

Yes, it would be great to get a version without translator.

[@FireflyOnTheMoon]

I'd love to see a version with English subtitles

[@FireflyOnTheMoon]

he is fluent in German

[@peteradaniel]

Cambridge 2:1 in French and German? Yes he would be fluent. Also she’s not speaking in any dialect and, from personal experience of having lived in Germany, she’s very easy to understand because she speaks very plainly and very directly. She avoids florid or elaborate language, so much that a child could understand her.

[@NoHairMan]

You can switch the audio tracks in the video options. Sie können die Audiospur über die Videooptionen wechseln.

[@ceyhunay7105]

The two were pretty much in awe of her and the whole interview was a softball for her. Missed opportunity.

[@neuemilch8318]

This woman has been running my country for almost twenty years and I have not seen a single interview where she has been cracked, I can guarantee you her nuts are made of titanium. I'm not a fan but credit where credit is due

[@paulheydarian1281]

Wrong mindset. She's a private German citizen and a guest in the UK and not a British politician. Don't apply American style Gotcha interview tactics to someone who comes from a different cultural background.

[@cynthiagair]

What a fascinating interview - thank you.

[@philipmulville8218]

Simultaneous interpretation is enormously challenging. Amazing work by the lady interpreter. 👏👏👏

[@fburton8]

Yet it _sounds_ like it’s being translated live. I wonder if the live translation was edited back in with a small time compression to avoid an ‘overhang’ at the end. Or maybe it’s just good acting. Either way, it worked very well!

[@wattswatts7605]

@@fburton8 Presumably you are right given that Rory is wearing headphones and seems to follow what she is saying when he doesn't speak German like Alistair.

[@2639theboss]

@@imacg5 At the very least, I believe the translation occurred in real time for the actual discussion and it's possible that the full translation was edited or created after. All the same, simultaneous interpretation is absolutely insane. I cannot emphasize enough how incredibly difficult it is, it's unironically the most difficult skill I've encountered and it's only feasible from what I've seen when someone is incredibly naturally gifted for languages and works incredibly hard. I've seen it done in Russian/Turkish/English (three languages at once, two coming in, one going out) and it's mind-blowing.

[@melw2389]

Thank you!

[@robertritchie2860]

So much better in German👍

[@CatTestTrophy]

From the outset I was against her “Wir schaffen das!” because I knew she would just say it and nothing would follow much like with Scholz’s “Zeitenwende”.

[@madrooky1398]

It's not for lack of trying, though. From my perspective, many of the problems are inherent to the political culture, especially within the CDU. This will likely become evident again under the next administration, where the CDU is almost certain to play a major role. The only party in Germany currently showing a genuine willingness to learn from past mistakes seems to be the Greens. That’s significant, considering the ideological journey this party has made. Because of that, I’m seriously considering giving them my first vote in the upcoming election. As for my second vote, it’s going to "Die Partei." If we’re going to have a circus, we might as well make it a funny one! ^^

[@elenavorobyeva7628]

I admire Merckel as one of the best leaders and politicians of the world, Very impressive interview so as a contrast with now days politicians in Germany, unbelievable:)L

[@bruce4947]

Like most politicians she went for short term popular option (cheap gas), rather than show some farsightedness and make the more difficult decision not to empower Putin and pay the price later.

[@michaelburggraf2822]

Now that was very interesting for me as a German: two of the best political podcasters interviewing Angela Merkel. Thank you very much!

[@fst2822]

Tbh... Probably the most excited I've ever been for one of your guests. Can't wait to listen to this hour.

[@user-gi5iy4kf7g]

Merkel didn't understand what kind of figure Putin were and don't seem to understand it today either. Perhaps today, she does not want to admit the mistake with Putin in order to avoid the judgment of the fundamental mistake of accepting him. All the signs of who Putin are were present during her active time and there were many that were strongly warning about him.

[@soggymoggytravels]

I was expecting a talk ABOUT Angela Merkel. I didn't expect an interview WITH Ms Merkel. Erstaunlich!

[@malloryviertel1423]

Love it 😊

[@roddlyyours1]

Thanks for putting up the German audio.

[@EmpoerterGeisterfahrer]

Merkel ist klar und vernünftig. Eine Wohltat. And a great interview, as usual.

[@Quasi_Modo_lives]

Merkel is a joke. Up there with the other do-nothings like Obama, Adern, Marin & Staaarrrmer ....

[@Rockall57]

Amazing that she was happy to do this interview....she knows Putin like no other...

[@mISSsophisa]

The title is misleading: you never asked her about facing anything and definitely not about facing putin and being responsible for nord stream and the energy crisis in Germany and the rest of Europe. You should call it what it is: a Well- behaved, entirely meaningless promotion of her new book, not an interview.

[@darvenova]

Excellent interview as usual! Superb Dorothee Kaltenbach!

[@LAZAROBlake-b6j]

X and Qarden Token are going to be merged. Easiest money in my life

[@niklas2094]

Just saying: The subtitles in the German audio track are auto-generated, thus often unprecise, omitting lots of words and getting others, including almost all names, wrong.

[@jaydee112233]

Those ready to listen will find this interview truly inspiring, especially when it comes to leadership and the role of leaders in public office. Great job providing the space for her to lay out her approach. If only we had more politicians of this caliber rather than more trumpets. Thank you!!!

[@SW-lw6mt]

It's refreshing to hear from a politician that wasn't a lawyer. She's much more frank.

[@backgammonbacon]

All politicians sound sane and sensible when they are out of power....trouble is getting them to behave like that when they are in power.

[@originaluddite]

@@backgammonbacon the ones you really got to worry about are the ones that already sound _insane_ even when they are not (yet) in power...

[@leo1961berlin]

Frank is not exactly the right word here. One of her nicknames in Germany was "die Sphinx". Nobody ever knew precisely what she thought and felt, and she was always very good at the "on the one hand, on the other hand" analysis in interviews. Far more significant in this context is her entire upbringing and socialisation in the old GDR. She likes to pretend that she never identified with the old regime, but in order to get on that's exactly what she needed to do. Living in a dictatorship means that you learn to keep your mouth shut or, at the very least, to be very circumspect with opinions. That is certainly true in her case.

[@neuemilch8318]

@@backgammonbacon She sounded the same when she was still in office. Very calm, not really easy to grasp, neutral and mediating the perfect adapted politician for German culture

[@ChrisR-xs9wp]

Frank? She dodged all the difficult questions and this was such a soft fawning interview. Rory and Alistair were basically PR agents.

[@kinngrimm]

As a german citizen there were several aspects in her reign that i disliked. When her phone was tapped by the americans she said "that is a no go between friends" which might be naiv, but also happened within the backdrop of granting the US access to data of german citizens to do with it as they wish aslong if they find any terror threats that they give those back to germany as due to our laws this could have not be done that easily. So she has no problem when german citizens being spied on, but she has a problem when its herself. This to me tells me everything i need to know about her priorities and how she sees other people. The other thing was that she kept Schäuble around. He knew what happened in the CDU inside-out, there is no way he didn't know about the black suitcases and black cash registers. So she kept an obviously corrupt politician in her administration. I voted for her the first time around as i thought it would be a good thing for us to have a woman in office and someone from the former DDR who could bring us together. To this day i am not convinced any of that made a differance. Otherwise i do think she was an acceptable administrator, but not an exceptional one.

[@kinngrimm]

@@Robespierre-lI Again from a german perspectiv, it may as well be her inactivity(the state was blind on its right eye) that we loose that liberal democracy due to the AfD and other far right groups having gained a lot of momentum. I did not mind her trying to give russia a chance to come into the fold, but after the Chechneyn war and then the war against Georgia and then the anexation of Crimea, there was ample reasons to have corrected that initial well meaning stance. I don't see that initially as a mistake to try and have good relations even with less democraticly inclined nations, but when these nations act far outside our values and obviously trying to aggressivly expand, then any democratic nation should take note, especially those who live close by. That we therefor did not have listened to our latest eastern addtions to NATO not more closely is close to dereliction of duty in my books and we(germany) were not alone in this, but sadly leading the lemmings down the cliffs it seems retrospectivly. There is one other thing that just now is boiling up here in germany. A scandal concerning outsourcing climate change innovations and getting tax reductions for it, which were handled fraudulently by chinese scammers but from all i can see also from private german test instituts/agencies. Something that was made possible by a policy put down during the last years of hers truely Merkel ^^. edit: grammar/clarifications

[@Quasi_Modo_lives]

The CIA tapped her phone because they thought she was working for Russia. They had plenty of evidence for that opinion. Her decisions to deny Ukraine entry to NATO in 2008, cutting defense spending, completing Nordstream 2, closing the nuclear power stations etc .... Then she talks about "friends not tapping each other's phones" ? If she was a "friend", they wouldn't have tapped her phone.

[@heyHenkie]

nice interview!

[@RobertThomson-y4m]

How much did she get wrong? Russian gas? Syria? Ukraine? Pretty big issues, no?

[@LilliOrtiz-k6c]

Qarden Token has two of the largest Tesla shareholders already; most likely something is coming

[@ComDeCastron]

Are these bots preparing a pump and dump?

[@JohnnyBloodyJohnny]

Now there's a benchmark for any future leader of any country in the world. What a great woman & leader who says it like it is (diplomatically)... Thanks RIPolitics (Leading) team for this excellent interview of a great historic leader of our generation....

[@warbler1984]

She invited a million migrants in to Germany with no real plan and was overly reliant on german gas

[@sylviadrees3761]

​@@warbler1984 wir schafften das.

[@birdndiz10]

@@warbler1984 Exactly,what amazing courage this woman showed…

[@Quasi_Modo_lives]

@@warbler1984 Russian gas.

[@obinator9065]

She was a horrible chancellor.

[@penelopelane7281]

A huge problem with so many of the comments here is that people see Germany's current problems and assume they must be Merkel's fault. This is faulty logic. A proper assessment must take circumstances into account and ask the question, "Would things have been much worse under any other possible leader in those times?" For me, the answer is clearly, she did better than the alternatives would have done.

[@ezerv7]

it is disappointing not to see any challenges to the industrial policy and reliance on Russian gas.

[@nekowelt2135]

She did and perhaps you can read some her books on this one - as a scientist she did not believe the necessity to close down nuclear power stations completely in Germany after Fukushima disaster, but she almost lost all the support as you have to live and work in Germany to understand it is a country view things in a quite black/white lens (my own experiences) as a western country. After she accepted the policy, she just had to get along very well with her neighbor and find a practical solution for her country. I worked in the largest German energy company, and you have to know how much Germany industry and economy benefited hugely from the very cheap gas for over a decade.

[@Isewein]

Yes they really let her off the hook too easily on that.

[@User-r5g5f]

Or letting in millions of migrants from outside Europe.

[@bringmeneweyestomars]

Thoroughly enjoyed this opportunity to listen to a political heavyweight who rarely does interviews. I don't agree with comments saying you should've taken the opportunity to push her on hard questions, she's not in office and no longer in politics, all that would be serving is your own personal senses of vindication.

[@nkr1159]

Heavyweight? She could not have been any dumber and more lightweight..

[@Guardian__Angel]

Merkel speaks fluent English. Why, on Earth, has she decided to give an interview in German only to promote the international sales of her book?! 😮

[@timhill9189]

She is not fluent by a very long way.

[@Guardian__Angel]

@timhill9189 Yes, she is fluent. She's just not confident enough.

[@timhill9189]

@@Guardian__Angel that is what fluency means!

[@Guardian__Angel]

@@timhill9189Wrong. Fluency has nothing to do with confidence.

[@timhill9189]

@@Guardian__Angel Fluency in a public setting is impossible without confidence. Merkel has a B1 level of English and you can hear that from when she reads speeches with the wrong stress and intonation.

[@pieeaterman3649]

Brilliant, Brilliant interview. Thanks loads for this. What fantastic insight!

[@Dude0000]

A masterclass in talking a lot without saying much of anything at all. Kamala couldn’t do it, as it came off as word salad, whereas Angela has mastered the art. No wonder we are in deep decline. As Dostoevsky put it, people of ideas are in charge, with no new ideas, whereas the US has a man of action in charge, which will inspire them and make them more energetic and get on with doing the basic things that are needed to be done, and not lost in conceptual ideas that seems to have replaced religion among the elitists that gives them their purpose.

[@maxheadrom3088]

Wow!!!! Excellent!!!!

[@SardonicALLY]

It would have been nice to ask her a light hearted question about her portrayal by Tracey Ullman on her show a few years ago. Has she seen it, does she think it is good and funny.

[@robertritchie2860]

Fascinating interview. Some commenators are complaining that Merkel wasn't challenged enough. I disagree. A lot of truths from the past popped up, which explain much of why we are where we are.

[@lysan1445]

Thanks for this interview! I have waited for it since you first mentioned you wanted to interview her. I never voted conservative, and I consider myself a green leftie. But I have to say, I always liked Merkel. I think she is the only well-known conservative politician who ever publicly showed compassion with refugees and truly wanted to help. I also like that she doesn't consider herself more important than anyone else and is humble enough to understand her tasks as serving people. That makes her very different from most politicians. I am not saying she always made the right decisions. But I came to respect her as someone who managed to stay authentic and humane. The formality and use of the German "Sie", even with people close to her, sound very familiar to me. I also grew up in a theological context. It is an expression of respect that surprisingly deepens the connection and closeness, often much more than the casual "Du". The one person who was closer to me than anyone else I called "Sie" my whole life.

[@Quasi_Modo_lives]

Can you distinguish between "compassion" and virtue-signalling ? Because in Merkel's case, that is very important.

[@locorum9103]

​@@Quasi_Modo_lives The West directly caused the migrant crisis; accepting refugees from countries you have destabilised has nothing to do with 'virtue signalling' or whatever other cuIture war nonsense you're used to talking about.

[@Quasi_Modo_lives]

@@locorum9103 "The West" ? Who is, "the West" ? Where can I find it & who is in charge of it ? The term, "the west" is just a linguistic-construct, nothing more. It is not legal or political entity & as such, cannot be responsible for, anything. But what about The East ? Maybe they are responsible ? Look into that 🤔

[@Eltener123]

Surprised you didn't ask about the unwavering support for Israel and Putin-esque way of dealing with Pro-Palestinian voices that her and successive German leaders have upheld

[@LETMino85]

I think you know the answer.

[@locorum9103]

​@@Robespierre-lI Ok, but in the real world, Germany is extremely anti-PaIestine and the extensive Western propaganda about the Muslim World has significantly contributed to the ever-growing anti-immigrant sentiment in Europe.

[@Eltener123]

​@@Robespierre-lI I thought the right to protest is meant to be a protected right in a liberal democracy. Germany doesn't seem to hold that view when it comes to people who are Pro-Palestinian

[@ginamalkeschmiedeberg]

Dear Alastair, where was your bite on this one?? But congrats on the translator, she is amazingly perfect, at least where she is Merkel's voice....

[@NomadNFA]

Gentlemen, can we please have more volume / sound - I have my laptop up against my ears, not wanting to miss a word of the dialogue. My laptop volume is already at max. Until reading some of your books and listening to this podcast I was barely interested in politics. Now, I dont want to miss a word between the guests and yourselves. Thank you. 68 years Alastair, surely you understand

[@User-r5g5f]

5:48 exactly what the German and British states do to anyone who anti-immigration, critical of Israel or anti-war.

[@Europhile-t1b]

Excellent interview allowing the speaker to speak - with great insights

[@zaras.448]

Is it possible to have this video in original (her in German), please? ❤

[@joaobrandao9482]

Go to 'Settings' and select the audio track 'German'.

[@JayneHarrington]

She really could have spoken English in this interview - the whole world speaks English as a second language.

[@spendthriftmcduck4325]

But she is best able to express herself most fully in moment in her mother tongue, so as is is the better choice.

[@LETMino85]

What an arrogant comment, coming from an immense level of privilege. Get over your English-speaking self 🙄

[@philipPatterson-w1t]

Fantastic interview.

[@nekowelt2135]

For goodness sake for these clever and privileged people who complain soooooo much on this version, can you not just simply use your finger 1) choose subtitle 2) just simply click on video track to choose German 😂. Yes there are people who appreciate this listening version as not everyone is so free to sit there read! Besides, please be humble and learn first re KZbin function before complaining so much, that is how we do in the third world country- we appreciate we can hear this speech for free! Thank you both gents to have her 😎

[@User-r5g5f]

A video on leadership from the most catastrophic leader post-war Europe has ever produced. 👀

[@maryj5593]

As usual gentlemen,as stellar edition. Thank you.

[@ajsctech8249]

Mit ihren Geschichten vom Saunagang statt vom Biertrinken mit der Freundin überrascht sie mit ihrem Charme und ist erfrischend authentisch.

[@rupertorgan7749]

Please can we have the undubbed interview with the option of English subtitles.

[@NoHairMan]

You can switch the audio tracks in the video options. Sie können die Audiospur über die Videooptionen wechseln :)

[@ohnezuckerohnefett]

As a German, this is one of the best, insightful interviews around the publication of her autobiography. I haven't heard German interviewers getting so much out of her regarding the "Spendenaffäre". I think it's the first time that she mentions that she revered Kohl deeply.

[@obinator9065]

Of course the worst chancellor would revere the worst chancellor before her.

[@Quasi_Modo_lives]

@@obinator9065 Hahaha !

[@emmanuellarbi1018]

Oh, wow, you managed to get the interview

[@fraumahler5934]

I admire “Mutti” but she was wrong to stop Ukraine joining NATO in 2007 to gain the same protection as the other Baltic states.

[@davidrobertson9271]

Really excellent. Good that you let her tell her story. A penetrating interview would have been inappropriate

[@hukama6911]

can you upload a subtitled only (non-dubbed) version I find the dub quite distracting

[@sonyphotoguy6601]

choose German language and you have it.

[@bargh70]

I have to say I've seen virtually ALL her German interviews on this book tour and they're all vastly more boring than this one. I understood the assignment.

[@MarianneKellyMyTravelBlog]

aw, Gutted ! Would Love an undubbed version of this!

[@MarianneKellyMyTravelBlog]

Thx! Got it!

[@neiljarrett6750]

This is another of your best. A really excellent interview. I dont know if you read feedback but one small issue was that Angela discussed massively significant issues, and then you interrupted and changed the subject completely with no interaction, debate or acknkedgement of the significant things she said. Eg Russia and Putin- straight to Syria with nothing and she had to finish off. You are better than just reading scripted questions. Anyone can do that

[@MeeesterBond17]

Don't mind me, I'm just here to practice my German listening skills. I'll let everyone else decide if this was a good interview or not. 😊

[@youknow6968]

I just know this is going to be good, certainly amongst the best on this podcast.

[@CalvinSMoore]

A real leader. Job well done.

[@AndreasRothbauer-xj4op]

I admire the translator who translated "Schwofen"

[@KurdistanePaper]

Angela Merkel - Erinnerungen - Jahre der Nostalgie

[@eirikasbjrnberg8753]

Excellent intrerview

[@rasco1521]

Lets just make the point about Brexit and could the EU have done more clear. When Cameron went to them for reform they gave a few scraps and nothing more. The EU as an institution has never dealt with the need for in-depth reform. If they had prior to the referendum and shown what could have been accomplished I believe the Referendum result would have been different. However there was a clear view from EU leaders that nothing had to be done as Remain would win. Ms Merkel said it herself that the EU is too bureaucratic, and yet ever since 2016 nothing has changed.

[@watermelon7998]

Cameron was actually given a lot, and more than what the member states had been originally prepared to give. Cameron promised a referendum thinking that he will be given an exception from free movement of labour if he blackmails the EU with the UK membership, and despite every single leading EU politician having told him (including Merkel) that he would not get it, he continued to think they were bluffing. I don't know what "in-depth reform" you had in mind. But I, as a continental European can tell you that EU citizens had already been totally fed up with all the exceptions, opt-outs etc then UK had demanded itself during the decades, and it was just one too many. The EU would have preferred to have the UK inside, but not at any cost, there really are some boundaries. Yes, the EU is very bureaucratic because there are 27 member states who all need agree on something before it is introduced. It's slow but it's not going to change if it wants to remain democratic. Still much better than starting local or bigger wars instead.

[@johnnotrealname8168]

@@watermelon7998 Europe is not of necessity going to War and so you are just making Britain's point then. Britain wanted certain things and the E.U. was not willing to give them. Well Brexit seems reasonable then.

[@sj4632]

The destroyer of Europe.

[@radiobits3007]

Oh she's written a book ? I didn't know that.

[@jornalbring5756]

Do you have an undubbed version of this remarkable interview available for your bilingual fans of the TRIP podcast?

[@LeadingTRIP]

Yes! Change the audio track to German. Click the little cog on the video and you'll see the option.

[@RaysTrack]

I'd be interested to hear why Alastair rated Clinton over Obama.

[@MrCvanE]

Because Blair and Clinton are really good friends. Obama was soft on dictatorship that we are now paying the price for.

[@Quasi_Modo_lives]

Clinton, was more active. He actually did some things rather than just talking, about doing them ...

[@emanueleroppo8357]

Merkel truly is turning into a tinier and tinier character

[@bribg423]

Ein sehr gutes Interview! Ich würde mir das Buch gerne kaufen, möchte aber den hohen Preis nicht unterstützen.

[@user-sq7nk9us6f]

Excellent translator but retaining Merkel's voice in the background so distracting that I gave up. Would be good to have a "clean" sound version.

[@insignificus]

The german audio is right there under settings

[@RationalAUS]

UNDUBBED AUDIO ❤ 1) setting icon on video 2) audio track 3) German

[@wbrett77]

So interessant👍 klingt noch besser auf Deutsch!

[@ronandyke6562]

Is the german Turkey agreement what lead to Turkey back HTS to attack Syria? Am I right in thinking Turkey wanted all the Syrians to leave and Assad wouldnt take them back?

[@M00nHead]

Shame, I can't listen to it with two voices playing at once....

[@StephenRamsden-d4i]

she is v smart and diplomatic, if u have been in political leadership for "16 years", she was constantly looking at the big picture to benefit the democratic majority in a complex world; by the way, Germany is in a much better economic state than we are !! thanks

[@СашаПулатова-щ3с]

Because. Just. Just i se. It.

[@eirikasbjrnberg8753]

The strange thing in Russia is that 90% of young educated want some form of western type construction. That said most Russian companies are top down very strictly ….

[@Валерия.Засимова.Москва.1986]

Западная демократия рекламировалась в России как Сникерс или памперс. Русские попробовали ее на вкус, поняли, что это вредно, плохо и опасно, и теперь хотят жить в русской цивилизации, чего и вам желаем.

[@Luckaby]

There's a line in the TV show Drop the Dead Donkey where David Swift's newsreader character Henry Davenport states "Gerry Adams should have stuck with using that actors voice", and this listening to this interview makes me feel exactly that about Merkel! But I have to say you can see why she lasted as long as she did. If we had some leaders here in the UK who were more like her instead of the privileged sort we get, maybe nasty people like Farage and Badenoch would not be as successful.

[@craigsoota1]

Absolutely fascinating person to listen to and a life of a interesting contrasts…

[@PixelVoyager-m4z]

Super smart. Cheeky dry humor.

[@sabinehahn9774]

"Du machst" is what you use in German when you want to express "one does"

[@AdrianAlexandru]

I expected more from you two. Disgusting interview.